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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE NIGHTINGALE by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)

Poet Analysis

First Line: O NIGHTINGALE, BEST POET OF THE GROVE
Last Line: O MOURN WITH ME, SWEET BIRD, MY HAPLESS FLAME.
Subject(s): BIRDS; NIGHTINGALES;
O nightingale, best poet of the grove,
That plaintive strain can ne'er belong to thee,
Bless'd in the full possession of thy love:
O lend that strain, sweet Nightingale, to me!

'Tis mine, alas! to mourn my wretched fate:
I love a maid who all my bosom charms,
Yet lose my days without this lovely mate;
Inhuman fortune keeps her from my arms.

You, happy birds! by nature's simple laws
Lead your soft lives, sustain'd by nature's fare;
You dwell wherever roving fancy draws,
And love and song is all your pleasing care:

But we, vain slaves of interest and of pride,
Dare not be bless'd, lest envious tongues should blame:
And hence, in vain, I languish for my bride!
O mourn with me, sweet bird, my hapless flame.



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